The city’s nearby artificial harbor, Port Everglades, has the deepest water of any port on the United States Atlantic coast south of Norfolk, Virginia. Fort Lauderdale’s beaches draw visitors from around the world, and tourism is a leading contributor to the economy. South Beach has a promenade of wide walkways for enjoyment of the city’s climate. The city is served by Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Institutions of higher education located in Fort Lauderdale include Florida Metropolitan University—Fort Lauderdale College (1940; renamed 1996), Nova Southeastern University (1964), a campus of Florida Atlantic University (1961), a junior college, and an art school. Fort Lauderdale is the home of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and its Museum of Art boasts a fine collection of ethnographic art from pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, North America, the Pacific Islands, and West Africa.

In 1838, during the second of the Seminole Wars, a military post, probably named for Major William Lauderdale, was established on the site of the city. Permanent settlement began about 1876, and the city incorporated in 1911.

"Fort Lauderdale," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2005
http://ca.encarta.msn.com © 1997-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Today, Fort Lauderdale is the top gay and lesbian travel destination and mecca: Start your day out at large beaches with gay sections, continue with shopping at famous Las Olas Boulevard or one of the huge shopping malls, enjoy food and drinks at numerous gay bars and restaurants, end up your night in one of the popular gay clubs. Stay at one of 30+ gay hotels and guesthouses where you may renew your next day, relaxing and sunbathing at their beautiful pools and gardens.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is recently awarded by ‘Out & About’ as the ‘Destination of the Year’. The Broward County Convention and Visitors Bureau is the acclaimed Gay Friendliest local tourist service in the world.